Wednesday – History
Reading – Ezra 7-8
Highlight Verse:
“This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him.”
Ezra 7:6 NLT
Did you ever notice that, despite the book’s name, Ezra is not mentioned until chapter 7.
Ezra wrote the book. It was up to him how he wanted to tell his story.
He chose to set the scene for his story; the restoration of Jerusalem.
Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law and eager to restore the practices of God’s Law to Jerusalem.
He returned with the full blessing of the current ruler of the region, King Artaxerxes of Persia.
As a scribe he was well equipped to record the events of that time.
In fact, he was likely a ghost writer for Nehemiah. Many say he may have also written Chronicles. According to those scholars, the writing style was very similar among those books.
I cannot claim to have expert knowledge about what he wrote.
I can tell you that he made a difference in Jerusalem in his time.
I can also tell you that a big part of why he was able to make a difference was his diligence in studying.
His level of understanding of God’s Law was a big part of why Artexerxes sent him.
His thorough knowledge of the Law caused people to be willing to listen to him.
The authority behind his words caused a revival of sorts in Jerusalem.
His expertise in writing left us this excellent history book and possibly the others mentioned above.
When we are diligent to study whatever it is that God has called us to, He will honor that with success.
While that does not necessarily mean wealth, it does mean that you are capable of making an impact in people’s lives.
How much impact is usually a direct reflection of how diligently you prepare and work at your calling.
How have you seen study and preparation impact your effectiveness in your calling?
Is there something that you need to be more diligent at to complete what God has called you to?
Is there anything that keeps you from pursuing that?
